Odd ph numbers?

[allof fish]

So my ph had been pinned at 8.39 for last 6 hours over night. And before that it was still slowly going up. Now I have completely no issues with it as it’s perfect but is it kinda weird it didn’t drop at night at all. I replaced my co2 media yesterday. I have a new skimmer with a stronger pump in a new tank. But lights haven’t been on for 1.5days for corals aren’t photosynthesizing. Also just calibrated ph probe. In my other tank it never ever did this. Always dropped and rarely every flat lined even during the day. Is this odd? Any explanation

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Pegged at an exact value like 8.39 for hours sounds like a possible meter issue. You might restart the device.

 

[allof fish]

Should I shut the skimmer off to see if it changes? Google said put it in a cup of tank water to see if it goes down. I literally calibrated it a day ago so idk how it would be off

 

[allof fish]

I also jumped to a much larger volume of water if that means anything idk if it does

 

[BryanM]

I agree with Randy, seems like an error, my apex never did that. I would reboot the apex, see if that gets it reading better.

 

[allof fish]

I agree with Randy, seems like an error, my apex never did that. I would reboot the apex, see if that gets it reading better.

I’ve unplugged it twice first time it dropped to 7.88 which seemd pretty off then jump back to 8.39. So I did it again and it dropped to 8.12 which sounds about right but then right back to 8.39. Can micro bubbles from the skimmer affect the reading? I have it in return section right now. Or does it need to be cleaned in some way without me having to calibrate it again

 

[BryanM]

I’ve unplugged it twice first time it dropped to 7.88 which seemd pretty off then jump back to 8.39. So I did it again and it dropped to 8.12 which sounds about right but then right back to 8.39. Can micro bubbles from the skimmer affect the reading? I have it in return section right now. Or does it need to be cleaned in some way without me having to calibrate it again

I would try to calibrate it again, but if that fails and it goes back to this behavior it sounds like a bad probe :(

I would also disconnect and inspect the BNC connector, make sure it is clean, etc.

 

[allof fish]

I would try to calibrate it again, but if that fails and it goes back to this behavior it sounds like a bad probe :(

I would also disconnect and inspect the BNC connector, make sure it is clean, etc.

I don’t have any solution ugh. Can I use any other ph solution or does it have to be Neptune? I dipped it in ro water and let sit back in tank and moved down to 8.37-8.38. Is it possible that I’m just scrubbing the crap out of the air?

 

[BryanM]

I don’t have any solution ugh. Can I use any other ph solution or does it have to be Neptune? I dipped it in ro water and let sit back in tank and moved down to 8.37-8.38. Is it possible that I’m just scrubbing the crap out of the air?

I did not buy neptune calibration fluids when I had an apex.

Bubbles on the probe probably can mess with the readings.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Going to 8.39 each time seems problematic. Try putting it is a cup of tap water and see what happens. 8.39 exactly again and I would conclude it’s a device issue.

 

[allof fish]

Going to 8.39 each time seems problematic. Try putting it is a cup of tap water and see what happens. 8.39 exactly again and I would conclude it’s a device issue.

I just did that and it immediately jumped to 9.18. Then I put it back in sump. Now says 8.35

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, so perhaps the pH is just in the 8.3 to 8.4 range and happened to hit on 8.39 a few times in a row. Coincidences happen. :)

 

[allof fish]

Ok, so perhaps the pH is just in the 8.3 to 8.4 range and happened to hit on 8.39 a few times in a row. Coincidences happen. :)

It’s been stuck at 8.38 since I did that all day long. I’m just not buying it. I got more calibration fluid coming and gonna clean it off hopefully that does it or seems like it’s shot. When I moved it the other day I kept it wet and was fine when I put it in new tank and calibrated it too. So not really sure

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

One the thing to check is to measure pH with that same device in a cup of the tank water. If that stays very close to 8.38, you could add a little vinegar and see if it responds appropriately.

 

[allof fish]

One the thing to check is to measure pH with that same device in a cup of the tank water. If that stays very close to 8.38, you could add a little vinegar and see if it responds appropriately.

Update.. I tried cleaning the probe with rodi water and then a mix of vinegar too. The probe responded to the vinegar and dropped around in the 3 range. I let it soak for a bit then gently cleaned the bulb with ro water and a paper towel. Then I calibrated it. Passed both test fairly quickly. Since the calibration it still has sit at 8.28 and 8.3. I just got my lights up and running late this afternoon and it still hasn’t change but corals didn’t have a ton of light time. At this time not it hasn’t moved even with the lights out. Could it still be accurate and I’m just scrubbing a lot of air and circulation is good or is it likely the probe it bad. Only
Had it about 10 months

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could be the tank pH is pretty steady, or a poorly responding probe.

 

[allof fish]

Could be the tank pH is pretty steady, or a poorly responding probe.

I’m not entirely sure. Lights have been on for almost 2.5 hours and ph has drop 8.3-8.29 which is abnormal. Normally ramps up to peak and then down at night. This is a new house and tank so maybe co2 levels are different but I would believe the trends are the same. Last week before moving and last 24 hrs

 

[Reefering1]

Maybe the ph dropping because you're standing over the tank, breathing on it, obsessing over ph?

 

[allof fish]

Maybe the ph dropping because you're standing over the tank, breathing on it, obsessing over ph?

I don’t believe me breathing over it would make the graph that way especially in a large tank. It be different if I was right over the probe but wasn’t. As you can see last week with the trends of the graph it’s nothing like that since. The huge drops were when I cleaned it with vinegar

 

[Reefering1]

I don’t believe me breathing over it would make the graph that way especially in a large tank. It be different if I was right over the probe but wasn’t. As you can see last week with the trends of the graph it’s nothing like that since. The huge drops were when I cleaned it with vinegar

Lights have been on for almost 2.5 hours and ph has drop 8.3-8.29 which is abnormal.

You seemed concerned about a .01 dip with the lights on. I wouldn't doubt that you breating on the tank( for hours?)can give a .01 difference in ph. But really, I was just poking fun at you
So perhaps your ph really is high and steady with the co2 scrubber on skimmer intake. and cleaning the probe and recalibrating brought the reading to 8.3. Then you kept blowing your hot breath in the water and now its 8.29. as good of a explanation as any. Not that I would be concerned...